Rescue Me

by Nikki Ryan

  Kat had brought the essentials up to the room the first day she had been admitted. He reached for the shampoo bottle and poured a generous amount onto his hand.

  “I can actually do the bathing myself, Sam.”

  “I know but let me take care of you, Lys.”

  He began massaging the soap into her scalp. She closed her eyes and began mewling under his touch. He looked down at his “buddy”. Full hard on. Just great. She’s going to think I’m a pervert.

  When he was finished, he gently guided her head under the stream and rinsed the soap out before applying the conditioner. She finally opened her eyes and found herself face to face with his erection. He saw her lick her lips and for a moment thought he’d been seeing things. But when she looked up at him, desire and full on lust filled her eyes.

  “Joan said no,” he reminded her. “No orgasms.”

  “That doesn’t mean I can’t give you one.”

  “Are you serious? I’m supposed to be taking care of you not the other way around.”

  She looked at his erection hungrily and brought him to her mouth.

  “Alyssa!” Her mouth felt so good wrapped around him. It had been so long.

  Her tongue caressed his hard silkened length as her hands cupped his ass, pulling her into him. She took him as deep as she could without gagging and looked into his eyes.

  He was going to blow his load right then and there.

  “Alyssa, you are so amazing.” The encouragement made her saliva flow even more freely which created slurping sounds as she sucked him. He couldn’t take it anymore.

  “Alyssa. I’m going to come.” She didn’t back away. She sucked harder as he filled her mouth with his sticky salt-sweetness. He shuddered once more. She released him and wiped her mouth.

  Here he stood in front of this beautiful woman. His woman! And she just sucked him off in the shower that he was supposed to be taking care of her in. Would she ever seize to amaze him? He highly doubted it. He leaned down and grasped the sides of her face with his hands and kissed her deeply on the lips. “I love you so much,” he said. He stared into her eyes so intently wishing she’d wrap him up in her soul.

  When he finished washing her, he shut the water off and wrapped her in a towel that barely reached around her stomach. The hospital definitely needed to invest in bigger towels. He handed her floss as he dried himself off. He was barely able to tie it around his own waist. He handed her a tooth brush with toothpaste already on it when she was finished flossing along with a cup to spit in. When she finished, he gave her a cup of water to rinse with and another for spit.

  “I feel human again,” she said. He laughed as he lifted her. He carried her back into the bedroom area and sat her back on the bed. Joan had changed the sheets and laid a clean gown on the bed when they were in shower. He could only imagine what she heard them doing in there.

  He rummaged through his bag and dressed quickly before someone walked in. Then he went through the bag Kat had packed so many days ago in search of panties for Alyssa. He found pink silky ones and handed them to her. She had already donned the gown.

  He looked at her hair that looked like a rat’s nest after she had dried with the towel and went into the bathroom to grab her comb. He brushed his own teeth before he gave it to her.

  He went to sit down in the recliner when she stopped him. She scooted over to one side of the bed.

  “Please lay with me,” she said.

  Not having to hear her twice, he walked over to the empty side of the bed and lay down next to her. She snuggled into him and fell asleep almost immediately. He wrapped an arm around her and changed the channel on the TV with his free hand. After watching an episode of Charlie Moore the Mad Fisherman, he too, let sleep overtake his weary body.

  Sam woke up completely soaked, crying out Alyssa’s name.

  “Sam.”

  He heard her voice and felt somebody shaking him. He opened his eyes and was suddenly disoriented as he looked around the room until he saw Alyssa.

  He had had another nightmare.

  “Sam. What’s wrong? You’re completely soaked. Talk to me.”

  He got out of bed and changed out of his sweaty clothing. Thankfully he had another set in his bag. He got in the habit of doing that when the nightmares started happening more frequently. He knew Alyssa was looking at him. He didn’t know what to say to her. He didn’t want to scare her. But when he met her stare, he needed her to know what was happening. She was his best friend.

  “Sam, talk to me.”

  He lay back down drawing her into him.

  “I’ve been having nightmares, Lys. It started a couple of months after we learned you were pregnant. Remember when the car with a family nosedived into the Charles River? And I pulled out the baby?” She nodded.

  “They started after that. They always involved you and our baby being in danger and me never being able to reach you in time.”

  “Oh, Sam.” She squeezed his midsection with the arm that was draped over him.

  “They’ve gotten worse after that house fire. I can’t get that man out my head. He was so charred. The sacrifice he made, Lys . . .” he choked and his body shook as he sobbed, no longer being able to keep it in. “What if that happened to you two and I couldn’t save you guys? I couldn’t live after that. I can’t live this life without you in it. You mean everything to me.”

  Alyssa sat up and looked him in the eye. She brushed away the tears that had fallen with the pad of her thumb.

  “Well, I guess you are going to have to stop being such a dumb ass then.” She gave him a brilliant smile. They both laughed.

  “I’m never going to get enough of you, Alyssa.”

  “I sure hope not,” she said. Her expression became serious then. “I’m not an expert, Sam, but I think you might be experiencing PTSD induced by me being pregnant with your child. Is there a psychologist the city employs that is available for you guys?”

  “Yes.” Sam thought of Ken Keller. He had sat with him once before many years ago after Boston lost six of the best fighters in a five alarm fire he had helped put out. “His name is Ken. I’ll give him a call later.”

  She reached up and kissed his lips.

  “Good.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The week had finally passed. Alyssa was ready to go home and had been ecstatic when her obstetrician gave her the okay to be released. She had six more weeks to go before she delivered her daughter and had been given strict instructions for the last weeks. She was not to go back to work or have sex. Orgasms were also prohibited. She was, however, allowed to walk around the house but only for short spurts.

  She thought about Jack. He had just missed Sam yesterday when he had come by to check on her. They had had a long talk then. She could tell that he hadn’t liked what she had been telling him. She couldn’t help who she loved. She told him that she would always be grateful to him for saving her child. She also told him that she hoped they could be friends at least. He had assured her they could be, but she highly doubted it when the smile he gave her hadn’t reached his eyes.

  Her thoughts were interrupted when Sam walked in. She had been packing her bag as she waited for him to arrive.

  “Hey, beautiful,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her and the baby. The baby kicked his hand. “Whoa. That girl is feisty.”

  Alyssa laughed when the baby kicked again.

  “Are you ready to go?” he asked. He picked up her bag.

  “Am I ever.”

  The nurse walked in then and grabbed the wheelchair. Alyssa sat down. She had already signed the discharge papers and just wanted to get home.

  Sam followed the nurse as she wheeled Alyssa to the elevator. When they reached the lobby, Sam walked outside to the parking lot and brought the car around. He helped Alyssa get in and thanked the nurse for taking such great care of his girl over the past week.

  Alyssa recognized all the cars in their driveway when they arrived home.

&nbs
p; “What’s this?” she asked.

  “Oh. Just your family excited to see you.”

  Alyssa smiled at his words. She had a family again and it felt so good.

  “Well, let’s not make Mom wait anymore. She has already threatened to take my life enough this week.”

  “Much deserved,” Alyssa teased. Sam brought his hands to his heart as if she had just stabbed him.

  She rolled her eyes.

  “Drama Queen.”

  He smiled.

  Alyssa opened the front door where everyone stood ready to greet her.

  “I’m first. Out of my way,” Sylvia said, pushing her way through until she stood in front of Alyssa.

  She wrapped her arms around her. “Hello, daughter.”

  Alyssa felt her heart swell in that moment.

  “Hi, Mom.” Sylvia held her at arm’s length. They smiled at each other.

  “My turn,” John said. He hugged her. “Hi, baby girl. Welcome home.”

  The next five minutes were spent hugging and greeting the rest of the immediate family.

  Alyssa walked over to the kitchen where Sylvia had created another amazing spread of delicious food. She grabbed a plate and led the line of food grabbers.

  “I’m famished,” she said.

  “You’re always hungry, Lys,” Kat said, grabbing a plate.

  When lunch was over, everyone sat in the living room enjoying each other’s company. Connor and Kat cuddled together on the floor with drinks in their hands. Sam stood up and went into the kitchen.

  He came back into the room.

  “May I have everyone’s attention please?”

  Conversation stopped and all eyes focused on the small box he held in his hand. Sam walked over to Alyssa and knelt down before her.

  His voice shook. “Alyssa, when I first met you, I had been enamored by this beautiful woman who had wanted nothing to do with me. When I propositioned you, it had been for selfish reasons mostly, as you are well aware.” They shared a sheepish smile before he continued, “I had rescued you by giving you a family with little or no consequence to me. What I hadn’t anticipated was that you were going to rescue me in the end. You are my best friend, Alyssa. I never believed in true love until you came into my life. Please do me the honor of being my wife and partner for life. Will you marry me?”

  Alyssa eyes never left his. “Yes. I will marry you, Sam.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.

  When they broke the contact, Sam reached for the ring. It was a 2 carat chocolate diamond ring surrounded by smaller diamonds. It was the prettiest ring she had ever seen. He took her left hand and shook as he placed the ring on her finger. She wrapped her arms around him again.

  “I love you so much,” she whispered.

  He responded by increasing his hold on her.

  The applause was deafening in the room as they cheered for the two newly engaged love birds.

  Alyssa looked down at her ring then to Sam. She had no clue what she had done to deserve this wonderful man and family but she’d never question it again. Every dream had come true already.

  * * * * *

  After a week of being overdue, her water finally broke. Alyssa, Sylvia, Kat and Emma had been at the mall shopping when it had happened.

  They had been walking past a slew of stores when she felt a strong gush and the wetness down her thighs. She stopped abruptly, spread her legs and looked down.

  “Uh, guys,” she said, looking up at them. “I think my water just broke.” Then the excruciating pain came. She clutched her stomach and reached out for Sylvia who had been the closest to her.

  Sylvia grabbed her arm and sat her down on the nearest bench. Emma directed shoppers away from the water that was now creeping along the width of the floor.

  “Do you think you can make it on your own to the car?” Alyssa shook her head wildly as another contraction gripped her.

  “Ahhhh,” Alyssa moaned. “This sucks.”

  Sylvia sat next to her rubbing her back, coaxing her to breathe like she had been taught in Lamaze class.

  Kat dialed Sam’s cell. He was at work.

  “Sam, Alyssa’s water broke. Hurry. We’re on the second floor of the mall, in front of Banana Republic.”

  She disconnected and sat on the opposite side of Alyssa.

  “Sam’s coming honey. When the contraction comes again, don’t fight it okay? Sylvia and I will help you breathe through it.”

  Security arrived. Beads of sweat formed on the man’s forehead when he looked at Alyssa.

  “We’re okay. The father is a firefighter and he’s on his way,” Kat told him. He nodded and instructed maintenance to clean up the mess on the floor.

  Sam came racing down the hallway as fast he could with fire pants on with Jesse and Ramsay in tow.

  He knelt in front of Alyssa.

  “Hi, pretty girl. We’re having a baby today, I guess.” He smiled at her. Her breathing became heavy as another contraction came over her.

  “Sam,” she cried.

  She squeezed his neck with her arms as he carried her out to the ambulance.

  “I’m here, baby.” He rode with her to the hospital.

  * * * * *

  Eight long hours of labor later, Kiya Katherine McKiernan made her entrance into the world. She weighed seven pounds, six ounces and was 20 inches long.

  Sam ran over to the incubator where nurses cleaned her and performed the necessary tests.

  “Alyssa, she’s so beautiful,” he told her. Her lungs were certainly strong as she protested all of the attention the nurses were giving her. She quieted when they swaddled her into a blanket and placed her into Alyssa’s arms. She looked down at her daughter who was looking back at her intensely.

  “Happy Birthday, sweetheart.”

  Kiya responded by sticking her tongue out and stretching her tiny body.

  “She’s going to be a fresh one, I see,” Sam said, kissing her tiny forehead.

  Alyssa looked up at Sam. “Congratulations, daddy,” she said.

  Sam beamed. “To you too, momma.”

  “I hate to give her up but I know everyone is in the waiting room dying to meet her. Would you take her out to meet them? Then bring her right back to me.”

  Sam tucked his precious bundle in the crook of his arm. She stared at him like she had done to her mother.

  “Hey, princess poop pants. I’m your daddy. Your grandmother is dying to meet you.”

  Sam left Alyssa while the Doctor checked her out. He made his way down the hallway to the waiting room where he heard his family. Sylvia jumped up first when Sam walked into the room.

  “Oh my god. Let me have her,” she cried.

  Sam gave Kiya to his mother who began cooing at her. He couldn’t believe how awake she was. After seven hours, he thought she’d be fast asleep by now. After fifteen minutes, he took his daughter back and kissed his family good bye. Sylvia asked if she could go in and kiss Alyssa. Sam nodded. She, Kat and Emma followed Sam back to the room.

  The doctor had left and only the nurse remained. Sam handed Kiya to Alyssa.

  “She’s absolutely gorgeous, Alyssa. Thank you so much for bringing her into this world for us.” The emotions overwhelmed Sylvia just then and she began to cry. “I love you and Emma so much as if you two were my own.”

  “Ahhh. You’re such a sap,” Emma teased. She moved in and kissed Alyssa. “Nicely done, girl.”

  “Thanks.” Sylvia and Emma left the room.

  Kat took Kiya from Alyssa. Sylvia hadn’t given her chance to hold her surrogate niece when they were in the waiting room.

  “Hi, Kiya bear. I’m your auntie Kit Kat. I’m the one who’s going to teach you how to get in and out of trouble.” Kiya’s fisted hand escaped from the cocoon. She raised it in the air. Kat laughed.

  “I think she likes me,” she said.

  Sam looked at Alyssa.

  “We’re so screwed.”

  “You think?” They all laughed.

  One y
ear later

  Sam and the minister stood under the wedding arbor waiting for the bride-to-be to walk down the makeshift aisle. Alyssa had insisted on having a small wedding with just their close family and friends. And it had to be in their back yard.

  Thanks to Sylvia’s help, they now had a back yard suitable for the front page of The English Garden magazine.

  Sam looked over at Kiya who was trying desperately to escape her grandmother’s vice grip. He smiled. It had been such a wonderful year with her being in their lives. If someone had told him two years ago that he’d be married and have children, he’d tell them to put down the crack pipe.

  He had supported Alyssa’s desire to be an at home mom. She occasionally covered for the other hygienists at work if they’d needed a day off. She enjoyed the adult conversations that have lacked in her life since she’d been home with Kiya.

  The French doors opened. All heads turned. The pianist that sat off to the side began the bridal march. The bridesmaids began their march down to the aisle towards Sam. When Alyssa stood in the doorway with Sam’s father at her side, Sam’s chest tightened. She was absolutely beautiful. He looked at his father and remembered how he had cried like a baby when Alyssa had asked him to give her away.

  Now the two of them stood in the doorway. Alyssa’s eyes locked with his. They crossed the threshold and walked towards Sam.

  Connor, Sam’s best man, asked, “Are you ready for this, buddy?”

  “Hi,” Alyssa whispered to Sam.

  “Hi, beautiful.”

  “Who gives this woman away?” the minister asked.

  “I do,” John said. He turned to Alyssa. “Welcome to our family, sweetheart. I love you.”

  With tears in her eyes, she said, “I love you too.”

  He took his seat next to Sylvia. Both Sam and Alyssa looked back. Kiya was screeching and struggling to get onto her grandfather’s lap. She squealed with delight as John took her and bounced her up and down on his lap.